After months of waiting, the full Boston Celtics schedule for the 2025-26 season has finally been released. Several reunions of now-departed players will highlight the slate, including the possible return of Al Horford.
Though nothing is confirmed yet, Horford, a seven-year Celtic now, seems as if he’s played his final game for the franchise. The 39-year-old has been heavily linked to the Golden State Warriors ever since becoming an unrestricted free agent last summer.
The two sides haven’t locked in a deal just yet, but it feels as if Horford returns for another NBA season, it’ll be with the Warriors, which is why March 18, 2026, would be the next time Celtics fans get to see Horford take the parquet.
Al Horford is undoubtedly a Celtic for life
If that truly is going to be the case, it’s going to be an emotional day. During his two stints in Boston, Horford has become a beloved figure in Celtics culture. His decision to join the franchise as a free agent in 2016 was the beginning of the current era of sustained success at TD Garden.
It was the first time in years that a big-name player signed to play with the Cs. Sure, there had been talented teams, but those had been built through the draft or with trades. Ironically, the two NBA Finals runs the big man was a part of with Boston were after they had to trade to bring him back, after he left for the Philadelphia 76ers in the summer of 2019.
What may be the most incredible aspect of Horford’s Celtics career is the wide-range of ways he contributed to winning. He was an All-Star-level player during his first stint, but took on a smaller role upon returning. There’s no disputing that the Florida alum embraced what it means to be a Celtic.
His character is a huge reason why so many fans felt an added sense of joy when he and the Cs finally reached the mountain top in 2024. Sure, winning a championship is always special, but when that achievement is accomplished by players like Horford, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum, who went through countless postseason battles along the way, it’s an extra level of special.
Though it’s a controversial take, there are some Celtics fans who would go as far to say Horford’s 42 belongs in the rafters next to some of the franchise’s other greats. Whether or not that’s the case is another story, but it’s not often that a guy who means so much to so many comes back to TD Garden with another team.
The nights when Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and even Marcus Smart did so were all extremely emotional. Horford’s will likely be the same.